Animal Totem: Opossum

Opossum teaches the lesson of using and enhancing appearances and deceptions and illusions. He also aids in resting when needed (playing dead), and the art to act or behave in strategic manner as appearing to be fearful or fearless in spite of true feelings. Opossum gives courage to pretend for a while in order to cope with mental and spiritual constructs. He teaches wisdom and sensibility and knows when to fight if needed. Is it time to fight for things or to rest?

The opossum is a crafty animal that shows us how to play different roles. It knows when to act, when to hide, and when to show its true colors. Opossum is a master at recognizing truth as well as falsehood. When it wants attention it gets it. When it wants to be left alone it plays dead. It is a strategic animal that knows how to mold each situation according to its needs. It has the ability to decode hidden messages and read between the lines. 

A supreme actor, the opossum can be aggressive or submissive depending on the situation. The opossum knows that each situation has commonalities as well as differences and reflects on them carefully before it responds. This links the opossum to the energies of practicality and ingenuity. 

Always full of surprises and unpredictable opossums are masters at playing dead. When the time is right they can suddenly spring back to life. Playing dead is a self induced state in which the heartbeat actually slows and the pulse becomes minimal. This ability serves to confuse many predators giving the opossum an escape from life threatening situations.

Opossums are nocturnal and raise their young in a pouch on their mid section. The young are born blind and rely on their feelings to guide them to their destination. They learn to sense their way around at an early age developing strong instincts by the time they reach adulthood. These instincts are complimented by their inherent ability to disguise themselves. The opossum is a multifaceted actor that continually changes its appearance. It does not allow its emotions to consume its actions and partakes in the game of life with strategic maneuvers. Part of what the opossum teaches to those with this totem is emotional and mental stability. 

The opossum is a craftsman in the art of appearances. When it appears in your life it is telling you to wake up and pay attention. Things are not what they seem to be. By observing your actions, reactions, thoughts and feelings, deeper insights emerge. This emergence leads to self-empowerment.

I don't recall ever really seeing an opossum before. I'm sure I have on many occasions, just not very often. An interesting animal totem that I wanted to share.













Now Playing: "The Gaudy Side of Town" by Gayngs 
*The best of the best background music. Could play it all night long.

Quoteworthy: Pope Francis

"We are all protectors of creation, of the plan of God written in nature; protectors of one another, of the environment. Let us not allow that signs of destruction and death accompany our journey of this world. But protection also means that we must take care of ourselves. Let us recall that hate, envy, pride dirty the life. To protect means to be attentive to our own feelings, our sentiments, our heart. Because precisely from our heart is where good intentions and bad intentions come out; those that build up and those that tear down. We must not be afraid of goodness, neither of tenderness."
-Pope Francis Inaugural Homily, March 19, 2013

Quoteworthy: Pope Benedict XVI

"Truth is not determined by a majority vote."

"It is when we attempt to avoid suffering by withdrawing from anything that might involve hurt, when we try to spare ourselves the effort and pain of pursuing truth, love and goodness, that we drift into a life of emptiness, in which there may be almost no pain, but the dark sensation of meaninglessness and abandonment is all the greater."

"One who has hope lives differently."

"Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think."

"So Jesus in the throes of His Passion is an image of hope: God is on the side of those who suffer."

"Intelligence and love are not in separate compartments: love is rich in intelligence and intelligence is full of love."

"Rock (music) is the expression of elemental passions, and at rock festivals it assumes a cultic character, a form of worship, in fact, in opposition to Christian worship. People are, so to speak, released from themselves by the experience of being part of a crowd and by the emotional shock of rhythm, noise and special lighting effects. However, in the ecstasy of having all their defenses torn down, the participants sink, as it were, beneath the elemental force of the universe."













Now Playing: "I'm God" by Clams Casino

The Times New Tarot: The King of Cups

I usually don't discuss the personal aspect of my readings but this evening, I asked what the nature of my personality/soul truly is. I know myself very well, so I was curious to see if the Tarot would align with my own beliefs. I won't get into that specifically but this is how I traditionally read the King of Cups:

• Loving
• Honest
• Gentle
• Composed
• Emotionally sound
• Balanced Male/Female energy
• Compassionate
• Healer
• Mature
• Wears his/her heart on his/her sleeve
• Calm
• Influential
• Caring
• Mentor/Teacher/Parent
• Unselfish
• Hesitant to ask for help
• Kind
• Tolerant
• Detached/Aloof
• Allows others to have their freedom
• Patient
• Pure
• Diplomatic
• Accomplished
• Successful
• Leadership
• Deeply understands people
• Protective
• Intuitive
• Open-minded
• A natural therapist
• Good listener
• Comfortable around various types of people
• Warm
• Appreciates beautiful things
• Creative
• Artistic
• Intelligent

Now Playing: "Little Dreamer" by Future Islands

*Samuel T. Herring is a genius (also bizarrely sexy). Can't wait to see another show.

All Souls' Day

I didn't intend to get all biblical on my blog but I came across this quote on Pinterest. Whether you're a believer or not, I think its message is really powerful. I was raised Roman Catholic (schooling and all). I appreciate the traditions of the church (especially the beauty of the mass and the Saints) but I consider myself far more spiritual than religious. I certainly don't agree with many of the church's beliefs and practices. I'd also be lying if I said I attended mass regularly (or much at all any more). But on All Souls' Day, I like to reflect on the people in my life who are no longer here in the physical world and imagine what the next level of dimension has in store...

For further information on some of the interesting folklore and celebrations surrounding All Souls' Day, read here.

Now Playing: "Sway" by The Kooks

*As I do on many, many occasions but it seems more apropos on All Souls' Day.

All Saints' Day

If you ever misplace something, Saint Anthony is your man.

Please, Saint Anthony, come around.
Something's lost and can't be found...

He finds everything. This prayer always works. I promise.















Now Playing: "The End's Not Near" by Band of Horses

The Times New Tarot: Seven of Cups

As I was studying the Rider Waite Tarot deck the other day, I thought to myself that I rarely pull the Seven of Cups. This was surprising to me because as with most INFJ personality types, I have the tendency to live in my own head. Sure enough, the Seven of Cups was the card that I selected this evening.

• Temptation
• Choosing among many options
• Overindulging
• Having your head in the clouds
• Focusing on fantasies
• Dreaming
• Illusions
• Wishful thinking
• Addiction
• Possibilities
• Hidden agendas

Now Playing: "Bad Religion" by Frank Ocean

One Kind of Spirit or Another

My first "Blackout Poetry" piece. This is pulled from an independent spiritual book entitled, "Perfect Together- Astrology, Karma & You" by Alice Loffredo. I receieved it when I worked for the author's publisher. I really love doing these; it's a good examination of my subconscious and a creative form of self-expression.













Now Playing: "On Your Way" by Alabama Shakes

Animal Totems

I buy into the theory that when you see an animal (or in this case, insects) that seem out of the ordinary, you should take something away from it. Many people believe that so-called "animal totems" are powerful messages from the spirit world. I happen to be one of them. Today, I saw two interesting totems in my city driveway- a grasshopper and a dragonfly. Here are two versions of its symbolism.

GRASSHOPPER

Uncanny leaps forward

The  Chinese symbol of good luck and abundance,

Grasshopper gives its totem people the ability to take chances. 
To move on hunches and take the leap forward. 
Things might not move for them as they do for other people;
progress is not step-by-step, but rather extremely fast. 
Trust your own instincts on when to make the leaps. 

Trust your inner voice. 
It will lead you to great successes. 
Don’t be afraid to leap –
and remember that Grasshopper only leaps forward – never backward.

DRAGONFLY

Illusion, The Power of Light

Dragonfly is the power of light.  The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people.  They will be emotional and passionate during their early years (the influence of water) and more balanced with greater mental clarity and control in as they mature (the influence of air).

Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world.  Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which need changing.  Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation.  The number 2 is important to Dragonfly, so think in terms of two year periods when you begin a change.  Dragonfly brings the light and color of transformation into your life.

Now Playing: "Ruby Heart" by William Orbit

Traffic Signals

I'm one of those people who reads deeply into things. If I'm in traffic, I always read vanity plates or notice what college decal is displayed on the back of someone's car. Tonight, I noticed this Biblical passage on a tractor trailer. It jumped out at me because it was from Romans:

After contemplating its meaning, I glanced to my right and noticed the license plate on the car next to the semi. The plate had St. John written on it. I'm Catholic but admittedly haven't been to church in a long time. I don't agree with a lot of what the church promotes but at the end of the day, it is my religion. I consider myself to be spiritual. I went to Catholic school from K-12, so Catholicism is a part of who I am. When I got home, I looked up what St. John is the patron of...

It turns out, St. John is the patron saint of writers and authors. As someone who has a lot of ambition but seems to be stagnant at the ripe old age of 25, I couldn't help but to take some inspiration from seeing these "traffic signals". I often pray to St. Anthony of Padua and St. Therese of Lisieux. Over the years, I have been no less than amazed at the power their prayers have given me. St. Anthony has found EVERYTHING I have ever prayed to him to help me find... usually in a matter of minutes or even seconds. St. Therese has given me a lot of strength and will power. I will be sure to say some devotions to St. John for motivation and encouragement to help me succeed in my professional goals as a writer.

Saint John the Apostle

Now Playing: "Remember Our Heart" by Alexander